The Untold Secrets Behind Tom Selleck's Iconic Friends Character

Tom Selleck's character held significant importance in the sitcom Friends, which was one of the defining shows of the '90s and continues to be quoted and referenced today. The show primarily revolved around the dating lives of the main six characters: Ross and Rachel's on-again, off-again relationship, Monica and Chandler's secret romance turned public, Joey's numerous conquests, and Phoebe's sweet courtship with Mike. These romantic storylines brought in many guest stars to play the roles of love interests.

While guest-starring roles often attract up-and-coming actors hoping for a big break, Friends was so iconic that A-list actors eagerly sought a chance to appear on the show. Brad Pitt, who was married to Jennifer Aniston at the time, humorously portrayed the character Will Colbert in season 8, a character who despised Rachel. The famous '90s actresses Reese Witherspoon and Christina Applegate played Rachel's sisters, Jill and Amy Green, respectively. Additionally, Jennifer Coolidge, known for her roles in The White Lotus and American Pie, also made an appearance on Friends. However, in contrast to most celebrity guest stars who only appeared in a single episode, Tom Selleck had a multi-episode arc on Friends and was considered one of the show's most significant guest stars.

Tom Selleck Played Richard Burke On Friends

Tom Selleck made his first appearance as Richard Burke on Friends in season 2, episode 15 "The One Where Ross and Rachel... You Know". Richard, an ophthalmologist, is a close friend of Monica and Ross' parents. Despite their significant age difference of 21 years, Richard and Monica engage in a romantic relationship. However, their relationship encounters obstacles due to Richard's unwillingness to have more children, while Monica desires to become a mother. Consequently, they break up. In season 6, Richard returns with hopes of reconciling with Monica, but he steps back upon learning of Chandler's intention to propose to her.

Despite reservations from some fans regarding their age gap, Tom Selleck's natural charm brought depth and likability to the character of Richard. It can be argued that Monica and Richard made a stronger couple in Friends than Monica and Chandler. Richard's willingness to reconsider his stance on children reflects his genuine care for Monica. He is a character who is willing to make difficult sacrifices for love, as demonstrated by his decision to walk away from Monica after observing Chandler's love for her.

Tom Selleck Was "Scared To Death" Of Playing Richard On Friends

Tom Selleck, already a well-known TV star from his role in Magnum P.I., felt anxious about appearing on Friends. In an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Selleck admitted his fear, saying, "I was scared to death. I had done Taxi a long time before, but I hadn’t done a sitcom, so I was really nervous." This highlights the immense popularity and influence of Friends, as even an experienced actor like Selleck was apprehensive about being a guest star on the show.

To his surprise, Selleck found support from Courteney Cox, who helped ease his nerves. Despite originally being scheduled for only three episodes, he ultimately appeared in nine. Ironically, Selleck went from feeling intimidated by the show to becoming an integral part of it. In fact, he has continued to enjoy success on television, portraying Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the police procedural Blue Bloods since 2010. Nevertheless, for fans of Friends, Tom Selleck will forever be remembered as Richard Burke.